TMS - ROME

May 17, 2001

Jelena Dokic

JELENA DOKIC: Hopefully. I think I did pretty well today. I knew -- I played her before, and she played very well last night and I knew she would be tough to play today. And I'm glad, you know, I have got through and I'm happy with the way I played. I didn't make it too long, and hopefully I'll keep on going.

JELENA DOKIC: Yeah, I think considering, you know, who I've played, I think, you know, she's probably the toughest to play. I was up and down yesterday, but today was a lot better concentration and just generally in my game and my serve as well.

JELENA DOKIC: Yeah, we're talking. We see each other at tournaments and I think, you know, we've sort of both, I think, tried to forget about what happened and put that behind us. I know I have, and I know she has as well. And, you know, we're just, you know, we're not the best of friends. We don't see each other all the time at all the tournaments, but, you know, we talk to each other and she's a really nice girl.

JELENA DOKIC: I think for me it's sort of a little difficult to play on clay. I think my game's more suited to hardcourts and grass courts, but I think I have adjusted well. I've had a good clay court season so far, last couple of weeks and last couple of tournaments, and I have a couple more before the French Open. So I think I'm doing well so far. And there's a few more things to work on, but, you know...

JELENA DOKIC: I think physically I'm a lot better than I was last year this time. And I think, you know, just generally sometimes I'm not patient enough on clay and I think I've tried to work on that, and I think I've gotten a lot better.

JELENA DOKIC: I haven't played her before, but she's done well. She beat, you know, she beat some seeds here, and I'm sure she's playing well. So it will be an interesting one. And I think, you know, that will sort of test my, you know, concentration as well. And just generally I think it's an important match for me to get through.

JELENA DOKIC: You know, I think I was born in Yugoslavia, and I think that's where I'm from and I always will be. But I was in Australia for a long time and I spent, you know, a big part of my career in Australia, so I think it's very hard to say. I think I always will be where I'm from and -- but I think Australia, I can't also just forget Australia because it played a big part in my life. But I think it's something that I've tried to put behind me and I decided who I'm going to play for, and I'm -- I've just tried to forget about all that and concentrate on my tennis.

JELENA DOKIC: Like I said, I spent a lot of time in Australia and I've gotten used to just the people and just living there. And it was, you know, it was great to be there. But like I said again, I'm from Yugoslavia. That's where I'm from, so...

JELENA DOKIC: I think the next match is important for me to get through, and, you know, if I play well, I have a good chance to get to the final. You know, all the players that are in the draw on my side I've beaten before and, you know, I have a good chance to get through. But you never know what can happen, and I think I'm just, you know, going match by match and try to play better and better on each one.

JELENA DOKIC: No, no. I'm in Tampa right now, in Florida, and I've sort of settled myself there right now to practice. And I haven't -- I haven't gone anywhere else, I haven't been anywhere else. And whenever I'm not playing tournaments, I'll be in Tampa right now and that's sort of my residence for now.

JELENA DOKIC: No.

JELENA DOKIC: No, my dad just works with me now. I think I have a good relationship with him on court especially, because I think he's guided me through a lot and we've been, you know, through a lot together. And he was there from the first day that I started, so, you know, he knows me the best and I know him and I think we have the best relationship that we can have right now with anybody. So I'm definitely not looking for a coach, and I don't think I want one right now.

JELENA DOKIC: You know, it was quite a few months. Like I said, I've worked with him from the first day, so it was very different and I think at the beginning probably a little bit difficult. But, you know, I've learned to -- I think that's made me more mature and helped me in a way, because I sort of had to do things myself. And it was hard not to have anybody around like him, so I think it's also made me a stronger person and mentally tougher. But, you know, now that he's back, it's a lot better.

JELENA DOKIC: Not really. I don't think there's anything to be afraid of, you know. If they want to write, you know, what they want to write, that's up to them, you know? And I don't think -- I think a lot of especially the top players don't even worry about that, and I don't think it should be on your mind. And I just -- I think you just got to try and block that out, you know. Sometimes it might be hard, but, you know, tabloids and newspapers have their job to do, and I think mine is to be on the court. So I'm not too worried about that.

JELENA DOKIC: I have a few friends in Tampa, where I train, but I think on the Tour I try and be, you know, good with everybody. I think Conchita and Aranxta, they're, you know, really nice people as well.

JELENA DOKIC: No. (Smiling.) And, you know, I try and, you know, you got to try and be friendly to everybody. I think it's very important on the Tour because, especially if you're going to be on the Tour for 10, 15 years like they have been, I think it's very important.

JELENA DOKIC: Yeah, I guess with some of the players that are my age, I think especially the ones that are coming up, Kim and Justine, Kim Clijsters. There's a lot of players you can go out with, and I don't think it's very hard to find them.

JELENA DOKIC: Generally, facilities are a lot better because I think -- I'm in Saddlebrook, and, you know, you have everything there that you want. And I think it's perfect for tennis, and there is a lot of players that live there right now. And I think the climate's really good as well. Just generally, I think it's a lot more relaxed and I think no one sort of bothers you, you do your own thing, and I think it's very good for a sports person to be there.